College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences News

Hundreds of Librarians are coming to Albuquerque!

This week Albuquerque has a chance to share the vibrant culture of our community with almost 1,000 librarians during the 3rd National Joint Conference of Librarians of Color taking place this week, September 26-30 at the Convention Center. The five days of programming will focus on the JCLC theme, “Gathering all Peoples: Embracing Culture & Community”, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas related to best practices on how to serve diverse user populations.

Sessions cover a range of areas such as library advocacy, outreach, collaboration, leadership, multicultural services, research, mentorship, collection development, and emerging technologies. The library profession overall does not reflect the diversity of the United States, with only 12 percent of librarians in the nation’s public, academic and school libraries identifying as racial and ethnic minorities.

UNM Libraries are supporting the conference with 14 library employees attending including Library Dean Richard Clement. Some UNM Librarians have been volunteering their time to help organize conference events and will be offering tours of Zimmerman Library to visitors from across the country.

JCLC sponsors include the five ethnic affiliate associations of the American Library Association (ALA) which are: the American Indian Library Association (AILA), the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking.

The conference is open to all library staff, students, influencers, and decision-makers interested in exploring inclusive policies, practices, and issues of diversity in libraries and how they affect the ethnic communities who use library services. Special events include keynote speakers, author Benjamin Alire Sáenz, and author E. Ethelbert Miller and author lunches.

To celebrate successes and honor member leaders in their work as advocates, an awards gala will be held on Friday night, honoring distinguished service providers, authors, and those providing a legacy of excellence.